2005 Yamaha FJR 1300 Links

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Recent 2005 Sport-Touring Reviews

Favorite Motorcycle so far, but...

By Thomas(Owner), Jan. 22, 2009

I am pleased to report that I have changed riding styles and owned many brands and types of motorcycles over 21 years of riding, and so far this is one of my favorites. I did a two year cruise-about from Port Angeles Washington to Puerto Vallarta and all points between with the FJR. I know this bik...e well. (At least for riding as I hate wrenching anymore. I would rather ride). Much has been said for its good features; however, readers aren't hearing the other side.

Gas sloshes and rolls in corners affecting cornering. It scared the heck out of me when cresting a hill on a corner and came down the other side. Felt about 8lbs of movement in the top end of motorcycle. Then I realized it was the gas in the tank.

Try this, walk up behind the motorcycle, and grab the luggage rack with both hands. Stand the motorcycle straight up. Then lean the bike back and forth left and right. Then stand it back up and see how much it yanks you around when you try to keep it straight up while the fuel settles down. Now imagine that when pushing over a curvy mountain road and then you can imagine what I am talking about.

Hands are exposed to elements and often give out before the ride should.

Foot pegs are swept too far back for touring.

Seat needs to sit lower in the frame by 2 inches and should have at least a 2 inch rise (not slope) to support the lower back for touring. The seat is also needs to conform and be softer for circulation.

The front end needs to have stabilizers. Don't make the mistake of taking your hands off to adjust your helmet or gear when riding.

Shifting fork and related parts as well as first and second gave out before the motor was broke in at a mere 10k miles.

Beware stopped traffic or speeds below 30 mph in the heat! I got heat exhaustion many times on this motorcycle. 1300cc worth of heat rising directly up to the rider, and IT ISNT VENTED AWAY FROM RIDER WHEN MOVING EITHER. This means that flying down the I-5 corridor at 75 mph and 105 degrees out will all blast right on you cooking you like in a convection oven well over the 105 outside temperature. Ponder that when strapping on the safety gear and going for a long ride on this machine.

I was looking forward to the thumb shifter and sad to see it didn't succeed as a feature on the FJR. The reason: this model is horrible on the left hand in stop and go traffic. Try getting through a Mexico or Canadian border for an hour or get stuck in rush hour traffic for a couple of hours.

It doesn't shift as smoothly as I had become accustomed. It makes a loud "CLUNK" as it slams into gear.

The leverage on the wheel stand is a little off. I weight 210 lbs and have a hard time using the center stand.

It is too easy to outrun the headlight on corners! I live in the mountains, and I have to ride at night with the motorcycle. I find that I have to go about 5-10 mph below the speed limit so I don't outrun the headlamp. I don't want to blind the oncoming traffic that doesn’t have a center divider in some places with my bright lights.

Ok so service costs are competitive, parts seem to be overpriced. Special oil filter? Forget about trying to replace that scratched side case cover. geesh.

It seemed to take forever for the aftermarket products to come out. The additional top hard case is outrageous in cost for what it is.

So, in review, don't get stuck riding this motorcycle in the heat (overheats rider), stop and go traffic (exhausting on body and heat), then take it at night (out run the lights) to throttle it up on the corners (rolling gas) and or take hands off steering (wobble). It is a recipe for disaster.

Ok. So you might say: no motorcycle is perfect and this one is closer than most. That is true. However, the original, Honda Concourse has got competitive and want their market share back it seems. In struts the 2008, 2009 Honda concourses. More power, speed, better handling, and more comfort, and at this time better price than the FJR. The heat is vented away from the rider, etc.